Tuesday, February 19, 2013

looking for the impossible dress

Dear esb,Fashion is not really my thing but I love your style. And right now I am having huge shopping issues regarding a formal, evening wedding I'll be attending in a couple of weeks.

The last year has been a bit tumultuous and I feel like this is a great occasion for me to look and feel sexy. Basically I was in a pretty bad car accident and have scars along one arm and on both knees. I broke a leg and am still pretty wobbly in heels and so want avoid those. What I want is a dress that makes me look great but can hide as many of my scars as possible (arms are more of a priority than knees and the worst scars are high up my arm). Also, I'm three months pregnant (it was a surprise, but the hubs and I are excited) and so can't wear anything tight in the abdomen area. I also don't want to look obviously pregnant (I am not yet showing, though might be by the time of the wedding), as I just don't associate that with sexy. As if the dress I'm describing is not impossible enough to find, I'd like to stay under $200 since I'm not sure I will wear it again (I've gained some weight between the accident and the pregnancy). I'm probably a size 6, with short legs and most of my weight in my thighs (and now belly).Can you help me?Many thanks,Almost recovered

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comments:

I like this one. I would wear that with lipstick, a topknot, and tights/booties/killer heels and feel pretty fabulous while still being 90% covered up...

I know people never recommend this on this site, but Rent the Runway isn't a bad solution if you're shopping for a one-time-wear dress and you want something special, but you don't need a $2k dress hanging in your closet forever afterwards... I saw this Lilly Pulitzer Seaside Coral Print Dress and a few other long-sleeved options that you can rent for between $50-$75. It might be worth checking out.

I like the RTR idea. They have a whole section of long-sleeve dresses. Also, a wrap dress might be a good idea. They camouflage a belly and are usually available with long sleeves. Something like this? Or this?

Also, Alice by Temperley has lots of long-sleeved options on sale. This long dress might work, and it's available in UK 12 (which is a US M). It might be too clingy, but the pattern may camouflage that.

For a formal evening wedding, I'd try to find a long dress. I like this one (there is in size 6 in sky blue) or, if you like prints, this one is on sale. You could get away with black flats with either of these.

This is significantly over $200, but I find Hatch to be such a beautiful choice that will accommodate weight gain/loss. This one obviously is sleeveless, but would be gorgeous with a cropped cardigan or light jacket and an updo to show off your neck.

I linked to the wrong dress! But anyways, I think Nicole nailed it with the pritned dress...but what about exploring ASOS for a cheaper price point? This one is a petite and room for belly growth. I'd loose the tights though and wear some open toed flats: Petite Swing

Anthropologie? Most of the dresses are under $200. This one is fun, though it may look better with heels. And this one apparently helps hide a tummy. However, I'm wondering now if these are too informal?

i bought my first pair of Love sandals like 7 years ago and they still look awesome. they've been upgraded since -- the newer ones are even better. i wore the studded ones with an asymmetrical Halston dress to a wedding ... while hugely preggy. (just pointing out that you can dress them up or dress them down ;-)

congrats on the pregnancy! i vote for hatch or the erin fetherstone wrap dress someone else suggested. also, not that you necessarily need this, but pregnancy spanx exists in case you are really looking to rock something clingy - it actually makes a huge difference when you're wearing something special (just like when you're not preg).

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